Youth Hockey Hub names their girl’s youth player of the year. I’ve seen her quite a few times. Smooth skater, excellent puck handler. Will be a freshman in high school this coming season.
? Sounds like she will be playing her high school hockey at Benilde. ?
While we’re on the subject of younger players, “Minnesota Hockey” held their HP Girl’s 14 camp recently. “Neutral Zone” scouted the event and recently posted their opinions. Two players received A+ ratings. Edina forward/defender Audrey Davis and Maddison Boone, a Woodbury girl who doesn’t seem to play on a community team at this point but trains at Minnesota Made. The Davis girl was a key cog in Edina state championship teams at the 12u and 15u levels over the past two seasons.
For lack of a better topic. Anyone know what she is referring to?
https://twitter.com/alyssaturnz/status/1674589443154386947?s=20
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Thanks
Seven Gophers—Räty, Leveille, Marshall, Bench, Knowles, Boreen, and Skaja—had signed in the PHF for next season and now have had their contracts voided.
Gopher alums in the PWHPA are: Brandt, Kessel, Stecklein, Pannek, Potomak, Scobee, and Brown.
Sorry for attempting to steer this thread back on topic, 13 players (only four Minnesotans) chosen from the 16 & 17 camp for the remaining spots for the Select 18 camp.
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1278145
2006 Birth Year
G Delaney Lawn (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Sugar Grove, Illinois
G Ainsley Tuffy (Shattuck 16u) ‘24 Harvard recruit, from Duxbury, Massachusetts
D Molly Boyle (Phillips Academy) ‘25 From Scituate, Massachusetts
D Mya Kearns (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16u) ‘24 Robert Morris recruit, from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
F Kassidy Carmichael (NAHA 19u) ‘25 From Westford, Massachusetts
F Nora Curtis (Williston Northampton School) ‘25 Cornell recruit, from Skaneateles, New York
F Ireland Fredrickson (NAHA 16u) ‘25 From Concord, New Hampshire
F Carla McSweeney (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Chicago, Illinois
F Makayla Moran (Apple Valley) ‘25
2007 Birth Year
G Nora Hannan (Edina) ‘25
G Ashlyn Hazlett (Minnetonka) ‘25
G Zoe Rimstad (Holy Angels) ‘25
D Sydney Lamb (Windy City Storm) ‘25 From Lombard, Illinois
Youth Hockey Hub names their girl’s youth player of the year. I’ve seen her quite a few times. Smooth skater, excellent puck handler. Will be a freshman in high school this coming season.
? Sounds like she will be playing her high school hockey at Benilde. ?
While we’re on the subject of younger players, “Minnesota Hockey” held their HP Girl’s 14 camp recently. “Neutral Zone” scouted the event and recently posted their opinions. Two players received A+ ratings. Edina forward/defender Audrey Davis and Maddison Boone, a Woodbury girl who doesn’t seem to play on a community team at this point but trains at Minnesota Made. The Davis girl was a key cog in Edina state championship teams at the 12u and 15u levels over the past two seasons.
My daughter is doing Woodbury HS summer camp now, and Boone is skating there. She was on my daughter's team back in 10U, then left for MM. I've heard she's coming back to play for WHS this fall. Very impressive skills for her age.
My daughter is doing Woodbury HS summer camp now, and Boone is skating there. She was on my daughter's team back in 10U, then left for MM. I've heard she's coming back to play for WHS this fall. Very impressive skills for her age.
Saw this yesterday…
https://twitter.com/YouthHockeyHub/status/1674484778530119683?s=20
Not overly familiar with the NOW Combine. Seems to be a joint effort with Youth Hockey Hub and the 
men’s and women’s programs. In one of the other clips I saw, it looked to me that Natalie Darwitz was on the ice, which I thought was interesting. Haven’t heard any rumors on who might fill her spot.
The U18 Select Camp starts on Sunday in Oxford, Ohio. The final 76 player roster is below. Following this camp 32 players will be selected to move on to the National Festival (August 7-13 in Lake Placid). A team will be chosen for a three game series versus Canada August 16, 17 and 19. The majority of this team will be Team USA in next January’s U18 World Championships, although historically a few changes are made between August and January.
Players with the ?? were on last year’s Team USA in the World Championships.
2006 Birth Years
G Maelee Ambrass (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19u) ‘24 RPI recruit, from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
G Natalie Frey-Perusse (Newark Ironbound 19u) From Northport, New York
??G Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) ‘25 Sister of current Gophers Peyton and Josie Hemp
G Delaney Lawn (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Sugar Grove, Illinois
G Ainsley Tuffy (Shattuck 16u) ‘24 Harvard recruit, from Duxbury, Massachusetts
D Molly Boyle (Phillips Academy) ‘25 From Scituate, Massachusetts
D Catherine Collins (Loomis Chaffee School) ‘25 From South Burlington, Vermont
D Kamdyn Davis (Chicago Mission 19u) ‘24 UMD recruit, from Beloit, Wisconsin
D Kiera Dempsey (NAHA 19u) ‘24 Boston College recruit, from Natick, Massachusetts
??D Rose Dwyer (Selects Academy 19u) ‘24 Cornell recruit, from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
D Bella Finnegan (Minnetonka) ‘25
D Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnetonka) ‘24 Mankato recruit
D Carly Humphrey (Elk River) ‘24
D Lauren Karl (Minnetonka) ‘24 St. Thomas recruit
D Mya Kearns (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16u) ‘24 Robert Morris recruit, from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
D Kate Kosobud (Moorhead) ‘24
D Kathryn Kotchish (New Jersey Colonials) ‘24 From York Township, Pennsylvania
D Keira Ley (Groton School) ‘24 Harvard recruit, from Wayland, Massachusetts
D Taylor Porthan (Edina) ‘24 UConn recruit
D Ella Sennick (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19u) ‘24 Quinnipiac recruit, from Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
D True Thompson (Little Caesars 16u) ‘25 From Sherwood Park, Alberta
F Chloe Boreen (Hill-Murray) ‘24 St. Thomas recruit, sister of Gopher Abby Boreen
F Taylor Brueske (Moorhead) ‘24 Quinnipiac recruit
F Kassidy Carmichael (NAHA 19u) ‘25 From Westford, Massachusetts
F Nora Curtis (Williston Northampton School) ‘25 Cornell recruit, from Skaneateles, New York
F Alanna Devlin (NAHA 19u) ‘24 Boston College recruit, from Marshfield, Massachusetts
??F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka) ‘24
F Addison Finn (Stillwater) ‘24 Boston University recruit
F Sawyer Fleming (Shattuck 16u) ‘25 From Rochester
F Ireland Fredrickson (NAHA 16u) ‘25 From Concord, New Hampshire
F Whitney Horton (Edina) ‘25
F Mikah Keller (North American Hockey Academy 19u) ‘25 From Mosinee, Wisconsin
F Ilsa Lindaman (Duluth Marshall) ‘24 St. Thomas recruit
F Lauren Mack (Minnetonka) ‘25
F Morgan McGathey (Thayer Academy) ‘25 From Braintree, Massachusetts
F Carla McSweeney (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Chicago, Illinois
F Makayla Moran (Apple Valley) ‘25
F Jordyn Petrie (Shattuck Prep) ‘24 Ohio State recruit, from Lincoln, Nebraska
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield) ‘24
??F Maggie Scannell (Shattuck 19u) ‘24 Wisconsin recruit, from Wynantskill, New York
F Addison Spitz (Little Caesars 16u) ‘24 Colgate recruit, from Grosse Point Farms, Michigan
??F Josie St. Martin (Stillwater) ‘24 Ohio State recruit
F Ava Thomas (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19u) ‘25 From Downingtown, Pennsylvania
F Kennedy Walker (New Hampton School) ‘25 From Rochester, Michigan
F Hannah Weyerhaeuser (Buckingham Browne & Nichols School) ‘25 From Cambridge, Massachusetts
F Ellie Zakrajsheck (Minnetonka) ‘25
2007 Birth Years
G Nora Hannan (Edina) ‘25
G Ashlyn Hazlett (Minnetonka) ‘25
G Zoe Rimstad (Holy Angels) ‘25
D Shayla Beaudette (Selects Academy) ‘26 From Aurora, Colorado
D Emi Biotti (Buckingham Browne & Nichols School) ‘25 From Cambridge, Massachusetts
D Rachel Gorbatenko (Chicago Mission 16u) ‘25 From South Barrington, Illinois
D Ellie Dimatos (The Lawrenceville School) ‘25 From Princeton, New Jersey
??D Megan Healy (Selects Academy 19u) ‘25 From South Burlington, Vermont
D Mackenzie Jones (Andover) ‘25
D Sydney Lamb (Windy City Storm) ‘25 From Lombard, Illinois
D Courtney Little (Andover) ‘25
D Madelyn Murphy (Dexter Southfield) ‘25 From Dorchester, Massachusetts
D Josie Skoogman (Hill-Murray) ‘25
F Caroline Averill (Phillips Academy) ‘26 From Wayland, Massachusetts
F Iris Cheng (Chicago Mission 16u) ‘26 From Naperville, Illinois
??F Anabella Fanale (Selects Academy) ‘25 From Webster, New York
F Nicole Gorbatenko (Chicago Mission 16u) ‘25 From South Barrington, Illinois
F Ella Johnson (Gilmour Academy) ‘26 From Palmer, Alaska
F Rhianna Mayer (Selects Academy) From Chesapeake, Virginia
F Sarah Powers (Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading) ‘26 From Lynnfield, Massachusetts
F Ella Pukala (Chicago Mission 16u) ‘25 From Arlington Heights, Illinois
F Macy Rasmussen (Orono) ‘25
F Taylor Senecal (NAHA 16u) ‘25 From Essex Junction, Vermont
F Elle Sproule (Shattuck 16u) ‘25 From Baden, Pennsylvania
F Quinn Taylor (NAHA 16u) ‘26 From Centerville, Massachusetts
2008 Birth Years
D Margaret Averill (East Coast Wizards) ‘27 From Wayland, Massachusetts
D Megan Hosman (Loomis Chaffee School) ‘26 From Ann Arbor, Michigan
F Haley Box (Holy Family) ‘26
F Mary Derrenbacher (Shattuck 16u) ‘27 From Raleigh, North Carolina
F Jilian Klein (St. Mary’s Prep) ‘26 From Vacaville, California
Hockey Canada releases the ROSTER for their U18 team Summer Selection Camp leading up to the three game series with the U.S. in Lake Placid. Gopher commits Hannah Clark (goalie) and Gracie Graham (defender) are back from last year’s gold medal winning team. Chloe Primerano, who may be the top North American prospect for the class of ‘25, is in camp along with Stryker Zablocki another highly touted ‘07 birth year (also a great name). A new ‘06 with a made for name is Chloe Goofers.
Not overly familiar with the NOW Combine. Seems to be a joint effort with Youth Hockey Hub and the
Essentially replaced the Model Camp and YHH does most of the admin for it.
34 players from the Select 18 camp to the National Festival.
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1279737
2006 Birth Years
??G Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) ‘25 Sister of current Gophers Peyton and Josie Hemp
D Molly Boyle (Phillips Academy) ‘25 From Scituate, Massachusetts
D Kamdyn Davis (Chicago Mission 19u) ‘24 UMD recruit, from Beloit, Wisconsin
??D Rose Dwyer (Selects Academy 19u) ‘24 Cornell recruit, from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
D Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnetonka) ‘24 Mankato recruit
F Kassidy Carmichael (NAHA 19u) ‘25 From Westford, Massachusetts
F Alanna Devlin (NAHA 19u) ‘24 Boston College recruit, from Marshfield, Massachusetts
??F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka) ‘24
F Sawyer Fleming (Shattuck 16u) ‘25 From Rochester
F Morgan McGathey (Thayer Academy) ‘25 From Braintree, Massachusetts
F Carla McSweeney (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Chicago, Illinois
F Jordyn Petrie (Shattuck Prep) ‘24 Ohio State recruit, from Lincoln, Nebraska
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield) ‘24
??F Maggie Scannell (Shattuck 19u) ‘24 Wisconsin recruit, from Wynantskill, New York
??F Josie St. Martin (Stillwater) ‘24 Ohio State recruit
F Ava Thomas (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19u) ‘25 From Downingtown, Pennsylvania
F Kennedy Walker (New Hampton School) ‘25 From Rochester, Michigan
F Hannah Weyerhaeuser (Buckingham Browne & Nichols School) ‘25 Yale recruit, from Cambridge, Massachusetts
2007 Birth Years
G Nora Hannan (Edina) ‘25
G Ashlyn Hazlett (Minnetonka) ‘25
D Shayla Beaudette (Selects Academy) ‘26 From Aurora, Colorado
D Ellie Dimatos (The Lawrenceville School) ‘25 Princeton recruit, from Princeton, New Jersey
D Mackenzie Jones (Andover) ‘25
D Sydney Lamb (Windy City Storm) ‘25 From Lombard, Illinois
D Madelyn Murphy (Dexter Southfield) ‘25 From Dorchester, Massachusetts
D Taylor Senecal (NAHA 16u) ‘25 From Essex Junction, Vermont
F Caroline Averill (Phillips Academy) ‘26 From Wayland, Massachusetts
??F Anabella Fanale (Selects Academy) ‘25 From Webster, New York
F Ella Pukala (Chicago Mission 16u) ‘25 From Arlington Heights, Illinois
F Quinn Taylor (NAHA 16u) ‘26 From Centerville, Massachusetts
2008 Birth Years
G Natalia Dilbone (Little Caesars 14u) ‘26 From South Lyon, Michigan
G Morgan Stickney (Shattuck 16u) ‘26 From Redondo Beach, California
D Margaret Averill (East Coast Wizards) ‘27 From Wayland, Massachusetts
F Mary Derrenbacher (Shattuck 16u) ‘27 From Raleigh, North Carolina
Damn I feel old when I see those birth years.
The Gopher staff has picked up a commitment for the class of ‘24 from Moorhead senior-to-be defender Kate Kosobud.
Kate Kosobud comes from a hockey family. Her father John played at Fargo South before juniors, college and minor league hockey at various stops. Brother Carson started his college career at Arizona State before transferring to Alaska-Anchorage. John stayed in Arizona (his final minor league stop) for a few years before returning to the Fargo/Moorhead area. Kate is listed at 5’7”/150 by USA Hockey. She didn’t advance to the National Festival, but I like this pickup. Solid two way game, athletic looking.
2024
G Hannah Clark (Etobicoke) From Oshawa, Ontario
F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka)
D Gracie Graham (Rink Hockey Academy-Kelowna) From Kelowna, British Columbia
D Carly Humphrey (Elk River)
D Kate Kosobud (Moorhead)
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield)
Kate Kosobud comes from a hockey family. Her father John played at Fargo South before juniors, college and minor league hockey at various stops. Brother Carson started his college career at Arizona State before transferring to Alaska-Anchorage. John stayed in Arizona (his final minor league stop) for a few years before returning to the Fargo/Moorhead area. Kate is listed at 5’7”/150 by USA Hockey. She didn’t advance to the National Festival, but I like this pickup. Solid two way game, athletic looking.
2024
G Hannah Clark (Etobicoke) From Oshawa, Ontario
F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka)
D Gracie Graham (Rink Hockey Academy-Kelowna) From Kelowna, British Columbia
D Carly Humphrey (Elk River)
D Kate Kosobud (Moorhead)
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield)
Worth noting that among blueliners, Emily Zumwinkle and Josie Hemp are the only right-shots on the team or in the recruiting class, so Kosobud does help the balance and add another righty to the defense.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
2024
G Hannah Clark (Etobicoke) From Oshawa, Ontario
F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka)
D Gracie Graham (Rink Hockey Academy-Kelowna) From Kelowna, British Columbia
D Carly Humphrey (Elk River)
D Kate Kosobud (Moorhead)
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield)
2025
G Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) Sister of current Gophers Peyton and Josie Hemp
The battle between Clark and Hemp for playing time once Vetter graduates will be fun. They'll face each other as starters at the U18s this year.
Looks like the staff has picked up a commitment from forward Sara Manness, a Winnipeg native that plays for Balmoral Hall in the JWHL. I’ll have to do some research.
EDIT: Might be a two-for-one deal. Twin sister Kate is a defender
Definitely getting both twins.
I am super excited to announce my commitment to further my education and play division one hockey at the University of Minnesota. Kate and I are so thankful for all the support from our amazing family, coaches, and friends! I wouldn’t be where I am without my twin sister Kate, pushing each other to our best everyday. “Every good and perfect gift is from Above!” We are so excited to be gophers! 〽️#gogophers
Looks like the staff has picked up a commitment from forward Sara Manness, a Winnipeg native that plays for Balmoral Hall in the JWHL. I’ll have to do some research.
EDIT: Might be a two-for-one deal. Twin sister Kate is a defender
Per her Instagram bio, she's playing for the Burlington Jr. Barracudas in Brad Frost's hometown this year. Given Kate is not listed on the Balmoral Hall roster either, I'd imagine she's following.
Sara was invited to Hockey Canada's U18 camp.
Sara was invited to Hockey Canada's U18 camp.
Second youngest player in camp
They were the second and third scorers in the JWHL last year despite being sophomores
2024
G Hannah Clark (Etobicoke) From Oshawa, Ontario
F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka)
D Gracie Graham (Rink Hockey Academy-Kelowna) From Kelowna, British Columbia
D Carly Humphrey (Elk River)
D Kate Kosobud (Moorhead)
F Ayla Puppe (Northfield)
2025
G Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) Sister of current Gophers Payton and Josie Hemp
D Kate Manness (Balmoral Hall) From La Salle, Manitoba
F Sara Manness (Balmoral Hall) From La Salle, Manitoba
The Balmoral Hall links only show stats from the JWHL games. THIS ARTICLE mentions that Sara had 51 goals and 66 assists in 46 total games.
I saw a Balmoral Hall game last year against Stanstead College (with Gopher recruit Emma Kreisz) at Ridder, but truthfully I can’t recall anything about either player. I did check some “Neutral Zone” articles and they consistently rate Sara as an A+ or A prospect. Kate was rated a B+ player in the only article she was mentioned.
The last set of Canadian sisters turned out pretty good, so why not try again.
The commitments for the class of ‘25 will probably slow up this week as the top U.S. and Canada prospects will be busy at respective selection camps leading up to the U18 U.S. vs. Canada series in Lake Placid August 17,18 and 20, and then ultimately the IIHF U18 World Championships held January 6-14, 2024 in Switzerland (exact site still to be announced).
Three Gopher commits from each camp.
?? Kendra Distad, Ayla Puppe and Layla Hemp
?? Gracie Graham, Hannah Clark and Sara Manness
Likely (hopefully) there should be a few more commits coming from these camps.
Don’t see anything yet, but if past years are an indication, the Canada camp games will likely be streamed (and probably free). The U.S. camp games will probably not be streamed. The three game series will be streamed by U.S.A. Hockey, but there will be a charge.
Streaming for Canada U18 Selection Camp games can be found HERE. First game is Canada Red vs. Canada White at 3:00 p.m. today.
Numbers for commits:
- Hannah Clark (Canada Red #30)
- Gracie Graham (Canada White #34)
- Sara Manness (Canada White #36)
U.S. U18 team named for three game series with Canada this week in Lake Placid
https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2023u18seriesroster
2006 Birth Years
??G Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) ‘25 Sister of current Gophers Peyton and Josie Hemp
D Molly Boyle (Phillips Academy) ‘25 From Scituate, Massachusetts
??D Rose Dwyer (Selects Academy 19u) ‘24 Cornell recruit, from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
D Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnetonka) ‘24 Mankato recruit, granddaughter of North Star’s legend Bill Goldsworthy
F Kassidy Carmichael (NAHA 19u) ‘25 From Westford, Massachusetts
F Alanna Devlin (NAHA 19u) ‘24 Boston College recruit, from Marshfield, Massachusetts
??F Kendra Distad (Minnetonka) ‘24
F Morgan McGathey (Thayer Academy) ‘25 From Braintree, Massachusetts
F Carla McSweeney (Windy City Storm 16u) ‘25 From Chicago, Illinois
F Jordyn Petrie (Shattuck Prep) ‘24 Ohio State recruit, from Lincoln, Nebraska
??F Maggie Scannell (Shattuck 19u) ‘24 Wisconsin recruit, from Wynantskill, New York
??F Josie St. Martin (Stillwater) ‘24 Ohio State recruit
F Ava Thomas (Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19u) ‘25 From Downingtown, Pennsylvania
2007 Birth Years
G Nora Hannan (Edina) ‘25
D Mackenzie Jones (Andover) ‘25
D Sydney Lamb (Windy City Storm) ‘25 From Lombard, Illinois
D Madelyn Murphy (Dexter Southfield) ‘25 From Dorchester, Massachusetts
D Taylor Senecal (NAHA 16u) ‘25 From Essex Junction, Vermont
F Caroline Averill (Phillips Academy) ‘26 From Wayland, Massachusetts
??F Bella Fanale (Selects Academy) ‘25 From Webster, New York
F Quinn Taylor (NAHA 16u) ‘26 From Centerville, Massachusetts
2008 Birth Years
G Natalia Dilbone (Little Caesars 14u) ‘26 From South Lyon, Michigan
D Margaret Averill (East Coast Wizards) ‘27 From Wayland, Massachusetts
F Mary Derrenbacher (Shattuck 16u) ‘27 From Raleigh, North Carolina
Canada names their ROSTER for the three game U18 series in Lake Placid later this week. All three Gopher commits move on to the Lake Placid squad.
I imagine Lauren Goldsworthy is also the daughter of the coach for the defending champion Minnetonka boys hockey team?
This year’s USA-Canada U18 series picks up right where last year’s series left off with Canada taking the first game 4-0. Future Gopher goalie Hannah Clark with the 13 save shutout. Other future Gopher goalie Layla Hemp stops 34 of 38 Canadian shots.
From “The Rink Live”: Team USA underwhelms in 4-0 loss to Canada in U18 Series opener
Third Star - Layla Hemp
Without Hemp, this game would have been a blowout. She turned away Canadian shooters time and again from high percentage areas, including breakaways, and on several powerplay opportunities. Hemp showed solid rebound control, and was a confident extra hand for USA's blueliners while handling the puck. There was nothing Hemp could do to halt Canada's offense, but she put up a valiant effort that should secure her starting position.
Given how last year went for the American U18s (who also got wrecked in the summer) as well as this year it makes sense that Frost is recruiting more from Canada in this cycle than he usually does.
Things don’t get better for the home squad, dropping a 6-1 game to the plucky Canadians. Two new goalies tonight so no action for the future Gopher tenders.
The U.S. hangs tougher for a while, but finally succumbs to Canada 5-2 in the third and final game of the U18 series.
From “The Hockey News”: Canada Sweeps USA In The U-18 Select Series
I thought the US women had traditionally been very competitive with Canada - what's the deal with getting steamrolled of late? Is this just an U18 thing? A sign of things to come at future Olympics..?
I thought the US women had traditionally been very competitive with Canada - what's the deal with getting steamrolled of late? Is this just an U18 thing? A sign of things to come at future Olympics..?
Probably a decade down the line. Our U22s did sweep Canada's this week, though.
From “The Hockey News”: Top Performers From The USA-Canada U-18 Select Series
Of the eight ranked players beside Gopher commit Manness, 1. Kraemer (UMD), 4. Venusio (Wisconsin) and Stonehouse (Penn State) are committed. Of the uncommitted players I think 2. Primerano and 5. Zablocki are, at least, possibilities (from a Gopher standpoint), although these are the type of players they have been unable to “seal the deal” with lately. Senecal seems unlikely. The Derrenbacher girl is still two years away from this conversation.
8. Sara Manness, CAN - There was a lot to like from the play of 2007 born Sara Manness. Offensively, Manness took the puck to the middle of the ice and drove the net, but she was also effective defensively playing key penalty kill minutes for Canada and always competing. She spent last season with Balmoral Hall in the JWHL, but this season will suit up for Burlington in the OWHL.
False alarm. Still waiting on class of ‘25 commits.
Schedule and local team ROSTERS are out for the Girl’s Elite League. The bulk of the commits are on the Empowers Performance team. Ayla Puppe (Northfield), Kendra Distad (Minnetonka) and Carly Humphrey (Elk River) from the class of ‘24 and Layla Hemp (Minnetonka) from the class of ‘25 are all on this team. The lone remaining (at this time) in-state recruit is Moorhead’s Kate Kosobud who will almost certainly be on the Northern Elite U19 team.
Labor Day weekend kicks off the fall girl’s hockey recruiting showcase season. Two showcases this weekend, the long running NAHA tournament, which is now held in the Boston area and the more recent PIP tournament in Pittsburgh. While NAHA is still an important event, PIP has been attracting the stronger fields recently.
The Gopher commits playing this weekend are all in Pittsburgh. Layla Hemp is playing for the Jr. Whitecaps White team in the 19u division. Recent commits Sara and Kate Manness are playing for the Burlington Barracudas in the 19u division. Kate Kosobud (Moorhead) is playing for the Northern Elite team, also in the 19u division.
A little stuff from the PIP tournament from “The Hockey News”. Recent commits the Manness twins are mentioned, as they both had strong weekends.
Top Prospects Impress At Labor Day Girls First
A few observations from the weekend…..
- Audrey Davis, who played for Edina’s 15u team this past season, had a big weekend for the Jr. Whitecaps 14u Black team. She was the top goal scorer for the event (all age groups) with 10 in five games. She will likely be a freshman on Edina’s varsity this winter. This particular Whitecaps team went 4-1 with a strong group of ‘27 and ‘28 prospects.
- The Chicago Mission team took second in the 19u division. The Gophers have a solid history of Mission players. If anyone from the class of ‘25 were to commit, look for forward Elle Pukala.
- The Jr. Whitecaps 19u team had a very solid roster of the bulk of the top ‘25 players in the state. They went 3-2 in a stacked age group. They were led in scoring by class of ‘26 player Edina’s Lorelai Nelson. At this point she may be the top in-state prospect for ‘26.
- Of the other players mentioned in the article, keep an eye on Philly Jr. Flyers 19u forward Ava Thomas.
- Over at the NAHA tournament the Jr. Whitecaps 16u Black, made up of most of the top class of ‘27 in-state prospects tore through the competition with a 7-0 record and a 42-1 goal differential.
Three commits in this clip. Sara Manness (#8) passes across to twin sister Kate (#20) who beats goalie Layla Hemp for the overtime winner at the PIP tournament in Pittsburgh yesterday.
The Shattuck Prep team ROSTER for the coming season is up. I think there are four possibilities to keep an eye on. Sawyer Fleming, from Rochester, is arguably the top in-state forward prospect for the class of ‘25. It seems like it might be between and Ohio State (where Older sister Delaney is a freshman) with Harvard possibly in the race also. I still think Sage Smith, a Louisiana native, is an interesting player at 6’0” and experience at both forward and defense, but her stock seems to have fallen a bit nationally in the past year.
The two youngest players on the team, class of ‘26 forwards Haley Box and Kylie Amelkovich will be drawing a lot of attention a year from now. Haley is an Eden Prairie girl who played at Holy Family last year. Kylie is from suburban Chicago originally, but lists Faribault as her hometown now. She will be in her third year at Shattuck.
Youth Hockey Hub
YHH has learned that USA Hockey will host a short camp in Minnesota this fall to evaluate players for its U18 World Championship roster played Jan. 6-14 in Zug, Switzerland. The US took third last year in Sweden in the same event. Details for the camp have yet to be announced.
It will be interesting to see how many changes might be coming after the less than stellar showing against Canada in August.
Grand Rapid’s Mercury Bischoff, who we’ve discussed here a bit, heading to Mankato.